We hear a lot of opinions about the differences in adopting a cat vs. dog -- how cats might be too independent, not affectionate enough, lazy or demanding. Here at SWK, most of us are homes of diversity…we've adopted both rescue dogs and cats. And there are definitely differences between the felines and canines. But when looking for a new four-legged friend, we guarantee you can find whatever you need in either. But don't take our word for it - here's an expert opinion on the subject:
The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, says this about adopting a cat.
"If you are thinking of adopting a feline, anyone who loves animals is a good candidate." She says cats often get a bad rap.
"People think cats are aloof and they are not fun like dogs. My cats follow me to every room, they meet me at the front door when I come home. They are very social. When they are raised properly from kittens, they love human interaction. If you think you love a dog, you'll love a cat. I guarantee it."
Cats are particularly good for people who live in smaller spaces or those with busy lifestyles, since they can be left unattended for longer periods of time than a dog and don't need to be walked.
Kittens also love to play. Turner Bells says they have a strong prey drive, so they like things they can chase. This "play behavior" teaches them to be healthy adults and toys are important for their development.
There's nothing cuter than kittens or puppies but felines have an edge in the training department. Take housebreaking, for example. In most cases, it's simply a matter of placing the box in the designated area, showing him/her where it is, and...voila! kitty is trained. That's because most mother cats teach their kittens to use a litter box, so we humans don't have to do much more than find a good location and keep it clean. And that destructive phase of chewing that puppies go through when teething? Kittens…not so much. And you can completely avoid tracking in dirt (or fleas!) with a cat because it's an indoor pet. That's not possible with the cute little puppy.
In this instance, we're obviously making the case for what makes cats adoptable. But if you're thinking about adopting and can't decide between a cat or a dog, we recommend you get one of each!
"Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." ~ Colette
The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, says this about adopting a cat.
"If you are thinking of adopting a feline, anyone who loves animals is a good candidate." She says cats often get a bad rap.
"People think cats are aloof and they are not fun like dogs. My cats follow me to every room, they meet me at the front door when I come home. They are very social. When they are raised properly from kittens, they love human interaction. If you think you love a dog, you'll love a cat. I guarantee it."
Cats are particularly good for people who live in smaller spaces or those with busy lifestyles, since they can be left unattended for longer periods of time than a dog and don't need to be walked.
Kittens also love to play. Turner Bells says they have a strong prey drive, so they like things they can chase. This "play behavior" teaches them to be healthy adults and toys are important for their development.
There's nothing cuter than kittens or puppies but felines have an edge in the training department. Take housebreaking, for example. In most cases, it's simply a matter of placing the box in the designated area, showing him/her where it is, and...voila! kitty is trained. That's because most mother cats teach their kittens to use a litter box, so we humans don't have to do much more than find a good location and keep it clean. And that destructive phase of chewing that puppies go through when teething? Kittens…not so much. And you can completely avoid tracking in dirt (or fleas!) with a cat because it's an indoor pet. That's not possible with the cute little puppy.
In this instance, we're obviously making the case for what makes cats adoptable. But if you're thinking about adopting and can't decide between a cat or a dog, we recommend you get one of each!
"Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." ~ Colette
